Indirect microfabrication of biomimetic materials

Tissue Engineering is a new field of the scientific research with a final aim to develop techniques for regeneration, repair, maintenance and growth of tissues or organs to overcome the limitations intrinsic to current therapeutic strategies. A fundamental element of this approach is the scaffold, a 3D structure, made with natural or synthetic materials, that emulates the extracellular matrix. It offers mechanical, topological, biochemical and chemical stimuli to promote cellular organization, growth and differentiation to create a tissue with adequate functional and morphological characteristics. Nowadays, the additive manufacturing techniques are the best approach to realize these complex structures. The present book describes the feasibility to fabricate scaffolds for locomotor tissue engineering following the indirect micro-fabrication approach using moulds, built with low melting point materials, and two different techniques, continuous flow and inkjet printing.